COVID-19 UPDATE #217
January 4, 2022
NOW AVAILABLE: UPDATED VACCINE MANDATE TEMPLATE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR SNF
Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance enforcing its Interim Final Rule issued November 5, 2021, mandating the vaccine in health care settings in specific states. For more information on the guidance and states where it applies, please reference this recent blog post.

To help members in the impacted states comply with the vaccine mandate, AHCA/NCAL has updated its template policies and procedures, available on the COVID-19 website under the Vaccines section. Additional resources to help encourage vaccine uptake, including new handouts on boosters, can also be found on the #getvaccinated website. Click here to access the updated template.
WEEKLY DOH CALLS FOR LTC PROVIDERS HAS NEW PLATFORM | REGISTER TODAY TO PARTICIPATE
The Department of Health (DOH) hosts a weekly call to share information and address questions from the long term care community of providers. The calls are held each week on Thursday at 11 AM PST. They are now using a Zoom platform for the weekly meetings. If you previously participated or would like to begin participating, please register in advance for the calls. The first call for 2022 will be this Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 11 AM. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar each week.
DOH PROVIDES INTERIM GUIDANCE ON STAFFING SHORTAGES
The Department of Health (DOH) is sharing the Interim Recommendations to Mitigate Health Care Worker Staffing Shortage During the COVID-19 Pandemic. In times of COVID-19 surge, health care facilities may experience health care personnel (HCP) shortages due to employee illness, exclusion from work due to higher-risk exposure, the need to care for ill family members, fear of illness, and burnout. Maintaining appropriate staffing in health care facilities is essential to providing a safe work environment for HCP and safe patient care. This guidance is for COVID-19 contingency capacity staffing and crisis capacity staffing.
YOUR STAFF IS KEY TO STOPPING THE SPREAD OF
COVID-19
The ENSPIRE Study is looking for long term care facilities that have at least 50 individuals on staff and have a less than 60% staff booster vaccination rate as of December 1, 2021, to join a research project. Can you help by taking part in the study?

Please read this study information sheet for details. Both the facility and staff members who take part in the study will get monetary incentives to help with the time and resources needed to complete study activities.
  • If you are interested in taking part, complete this brief survey. The survey will help us determine if you qualify for the study.
  • The ENSPIRE team may also reach out to facilities by mail, email or phone to find out if they are willing to take part.
  • If you have any questions, please call (206) 287-4307 or email the study team at KPWHRI-ENSPIRE@kp.org.

This study is funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Researchers at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Georgia, and the University of Washington are conducting this study. 
UPDATE ON PHASE 4 PROVIDER RELIEF FUND AND ARP RURAL PAYMENTS
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has provided updated information on the status of Provider Relief Funds (PRF) Phase 4 and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Payments. Topics include size of Phase 4 awards, additional detail on Phase 4 methodology, update on hospital funds transfer to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and updated timelines regarding receipt of funds and provider requests for individualized support.

Reporting Period 2 began on January 1, 2022, and the extended Reporting Period 1 ended on December 20, 2021. No additional Reporting Period 1 extensions will be offered. Due to technical difficulties during the Reporting Period 1 dates, HRSA urges providers to submit as soon as possible. Read more.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.